Trump Grants Extra Christmas Days Off for Federal Workers

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday granting federal employees two additional days off around Christmas, excusing most from work on December 24 and December 26 in addition to the standard holiday on December 25. The action applies to the 2025 federal holiday calendar and affects workers across U.S. government agencies, though department heads retain authority to require staffing in certain offices for national security, defense or other essential public needs.

With Christmas falling on a Thursday next year, the order creates a three-day consecutive break from Wednesday through Friday for many federal workers, potentially extending into a five-day weekend if weekends align without mandatory duties. Officials emphasized that the exemptions are discretionary and not universal, ensuring continuity in critical operations. This brings the total number of federal holidays for 2025 to 13, including established observances such as New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day and Thanksgiving.

The decision continues a tradition of presidents providing holiday relief to...